WWE Monday Night RAW: Live coverage and results - August 25, 2014

WWE Monday night Raw live coverage and results

Hello ladies and gentlemen and welcome to our live coverage of WWE Monday Night Raw. WWE kick starts its journey to the upcoming Night Of Champions pay-per-view tonight at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.

Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels in Hall of Fame forum

RAW kicked off with Hulk Hogan coming down to the ring, which was decorated with a red mat and a table. Hulk was followed by Ric Flair, and then Shawn Michaels came out last to a huge pop. All the three sat down near the table, and Cole asked Shawn about John Cena’s chances against Lesnar at the Night of Champions for the WWE World Heavyweight championship. Shawn said there was no chance of that happening, and said Cena’s career was at crossroads. Hogan spoke next, and said Cena’s time wasn’t up yet. Hogan sucked up to Cena, and Flair spoke next, and said he agreed with Shawn. He said all the three men respect Cena, but said he stood no chance.

Cole asked Hogan who he thought would win at NOC. Hogan replied saying “Hustle, Loyalty and Respect” wasn’t just a marketing ploy, and picked Cena. HBK cut him off saying no one could take a beating like Cena did and return the same person. Hogan said Cena would find a way somehow to get his hand raised. HBK and Flair asked Hogan if he really believed that. The three men started arguing and Cena’s music hit to a mixed reaction.

Cena made his way down to the ring and acknowledged the panel. He said he was tired of hearing what people thought he should do. He said he will tell us what he will do. He talked about Brock giving him 16 German suplexes, and said he received a beatdown at SummerSlam. He said HBK was right, and that a man will not come out the same after that. He said at NOC, he will bring the fight to Lesnar. He said that at NOC, he wasn’t going in to beat Lesnar, but to beat Lesnar’s ass. He made his way back as the three HOF’ers looked on.

Analysis: That was an outstanding way to kick off RAW. This put over the seriousness of Cena’s situation, and the opinions of the fans and the performers themselves. Cena was serious for a change, which was nice to see. It will be interesting to see where WWE goes from here with Cena and Lesnar, but you have to believe that Lesnar will not lose at NOC.

Rusev (With Lana) vs. Jack Swagger

Swagger took on Rusev once again, and after a good back and forth action, Rusev started dominating Swagger. Rusev worked on Swagger’s ribs, and Swagger tried to make a comeback by locking Rusev in the Patriot Lock, but Rusev rolled through and continued working on Swagger’s ribs. He then laughed and posed before continuing to work on Swagger’s ribs, as the referee stopped the match.

Winner by TKO: Rusev

Rating: ** ½

Analysis: That is probably the end of their feud, and the end of Swagger’s face run. The fans really liked his face run, but the WWE didn’t put him over strong.

Post match, the trainers checked on Swagger as Rusev posed in the ring, and the Russian flag dropped down in the ring.

Rob Van Dam vs. Cesaro for the #1 contender’s match for WWE US title

Cesaro took on RVD with Sheamus on commentary, and both men got in their offenses to start the match. Both men kept their eyes on Sheamus, and Cesaro moved out of the ring as RVD went to the top rope. Cesaro dropped RVD from the top and connected with the Neutralizer to pick up the victory, and become the new #1 contender for the WWE United States championship.

Winner and the #1 contender for WWE US title: Cesaro

Rating: **

Analysis: That is the right way to go, with Cesaro picking up a victory over RVD to face Sheamus. If reports are to be believed, this will likely be RVD’s last match in the WWE for now.

Post match, Cesaro grabbed the US title, and Sheamus wanted it back. Cesaro threw it in his face, as the referee got in between both the men as Cesaro backed up the ramp.

Natalya vs. Paige

Both women locked up, and Paige knocked Natalya down with a cheap shot. She skipped in the ring and delivered some vicious head butts to Natalya. She then locked Natalya in the abdominal stretch, but Natalya turned it around. Paige took Natalya down, but Natalya knocked her down with a shoulder and then a suplex. Natalya locked Paige in the Sharpshooter, but Paige reached the rope. Paige tried to go for the Sharpshooter, but Natalya succeeded in fighting her off. Paige hit the Paige turner to pick up the victory.

Winner: Paige

Rating: * ½

Analysis: WWE killed Natalya’s momentum just like that, and it is painfully obvious that it is just about Paige and AJ in the division. I like Paige, but WWE killing Natalya’s momentum with a dominant victory for the champion might not be the smartest move.

Post match, AJ came skipping down to the ring. Natalya took Paige down with a huge clothesline with the distraction. AJ came into the ring and called Paige her “English muffin”, as the crowd chanted for CM Punk. AJ said she was sincere, and then hugged Paige. AJ kissed Paige’s hand, and skipped her way back.

In ring segment with Kane and Rollins

Kane came out to deliver the eulogy to Dean Ambrose. He said that everyone would miss the unstable lunatic, Dean Ambrose. Kane said it wasn’t a time to remember the departed, but to celebrate the future, and brought out Seth Rollins. Crowd booed Rollins, and started a “You sold out” chant, as Rollins talked about being the leader of The Shield. He said he handpicked Dean to be a member of The Shield, and said there was a reason. He said Dean didn’t care about pain or suffering, but said he had to prove last week at Dean’s expense that The Authority always wins. He then looked back at what happened last week, and blamed the WWE Universe for the outcome. Seth then laughed at what happened, and wondered if it dawned on Dean that he was outmatched. He talked about Dean having a headache for the rest of his life, and said his career will be summed with “what if”. He then talked about what would’ve happened if Dean knew his place or Seth’s superiority. Rollins said it is highly unlikely that we’d ever see Dean Ambrose again. He said he was the one who created and destroyed The Shield, as Reigns made his way out!

Kane and Reigns went at it outside the ring, and Reigns threw Kane against the steel steps. Reigns then drilled Rollins with rights, and threw him into the podium. He picked up the podium and drilled Rollins with it! Reigns dropped Rollins with a clothesline and went for the spear, but Kane pulled Rollins out of the ring as Reigns posed in the ring.

Analysis: That was a good segment to put over what happened last week. Looks like we’re going to have a Reigns – Rollins feud now, which is exactly what the fans want.

Backstage, Goldust and Stardust talked about becoming the new WWE Tag Team champions.

The Usos vs. Goldust and Stardust for the WWE Tag Team championships

The Usos made their way first to a big pop, followed by The Usos. Stardust rolled up Jimmy for a one count to kick off the match. Jimmy then tagged in Jey as they worked on Stardust. The champs worked in tandem as Jimmy came back in. Stardust worked on Jimmy and pandered Jimmy, as the brothers came down on the champs with a running senton for a two count!

Back from commercial and Stardust was in control. Goldust came in and worked on Jimmy, but both men collided in the middle of the ring to give The Usos an opening. Jey came in and dropped Goldust and Stardust. Jey connected with a running knee and a Samoan drop to Stardust and Goldust. Jey took Goldust down with a suicide dive, and looked to have tweaked his knee. Stardust made it back to the ring before the 10 count, but Jey couldn’t.

Winners by count – out: Goldust and Stardust

Rating: ** ¾

Post match, Goldust took the mic and said they weren’t going to do it this way. Goldust demanded a rematch, and they attacked The Usos. Goldust and Stardust attacked Jey’s knee, and worked on it and posed in the ring to end the segment.

Analysis: That was a decent tag team match, and the fans wanted the freak duo to win the gold. This attack will likely set up a match at NOC between the two teams, with Goldust and Stardust turning heel.

Backstage, Kane and Rollins threw a fit about Reigns attacking them. Kane set up a handicap match between Reigns and Kane/Rollins later on the show, and said they’d take care of Reigns similar to Dean Ambrose.

WWE looked back at Lesnar beating Cena at SummerSlam, and Lesnar commented saying he came back to conquer the WWE Universe, and to win the WWE World Heavyweight champion. Heyman commented on what happened, saying Lesnar took pity on Cena. Heyman said Lesnar was offended that Cena would even dare to fight Lesnar again. Both Lesnar and Heyman hyped the NOC match between the two, and Lesnar threatened Cena that he won’t get up the next time they face at the Night of Champions. Lesnar ended the segment by saying “Game over”.

Analysis: That was an outstanding video package, and put over the seriousness of their rematch at the NOC PPV. Yet another amazing video package by the WWE.

Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz

Ziggler made his way out first, followed by Miz, who said Damien Sandow, his “stunt double” would take his place in the match.

Dolph dropped Damien with a dropkick for a nearfall. Sandow came back aggressively, and dropped Ziggler with a suplex for a one count. Damien continued his attack on Dolph, and worked on Dolph’s leg. He then locked in the figure four, but Dolph countered and drilled Damien with a Zig Zag out of nowhere to pick up the victory.

Winner: Dolph Ziggler

Rating: * ¾

Analysis: That made very little sense to me, except the fact that WWE needed a jobber to put Dolph over, and they didn’t want that to be The Miz.

In ring segment with the Bella twins

Jerry Lawler was in the ring, and put over Nikki’s betrayal. WWE then showed what happened last week with Nikki and Brie. Lawler then introduced Nikki, who came down to the ring and created a separation between the two chairs for the Bellas. Brie then made her way out to a big pop, and Brie talked about Nikki backstabbing Brie. Brie then talked about both of them going way back, and apologized for putting her through all the trouble. Brie appealed to Nikki to get back with her.

Nikki said that was the biggest pile of crap she had ever heard. Nikki said Brie was conspiring by acting like a good person. Nikki then ripped on Brie, and also the WWE Universe. Nikki said Brie never cared about her, and called her the wife of a troll face. Nikki blamed Brie for quitting on her, and called her a sad excuse for a sister and a human being. Lawler tried to intervene, but Nikki shoved him, calling him an old man, and asked him to get out. Nikki then attacked Brie, and drilled her head to the mat. Lawler tried to separate her from Brie, but Nikki slapped him. The referees had to come in to separate Nikki from Brie.

Analysis: Honestly, it’s a gamble when you give the live microphone to Nikki and Brie, and the fans sounded like they didn’t care much about the feud, as they chanted for Jerry. Anyway, this puts over their feud, and they might face each other at the NOC PPV.

Seth Rollins and Kane vs. Roman Reigns in a Handicap match

Reigns made his way out first, followed by Kane and Rollins. Kane started things off with Reigns, but Reigns knocked him out and brought in Rollins. Kane came back in and the team of Kane and Rollins worked in tandem, but Reigns threw Rollins out and dropped Kane with a clothesline. Roman delivered some punches to Kane, and drove Rollins into the barricade and the apron. Reigns delivered a running kick to Kane, and speared Kane. Rollins came in to stop the three count and drilled Reigns with the briefcase to cause the DQ.

Winner by DQ: Roman Reigns

Rating: *

Rollins drilled Reigns with the briefcase again, and threw him into the barricade. Kane and Rollins worked on Reigns, and Kane revealed cinder blocks similar to last week. Rollins went for the curb stomp, but Reigns fought back and drilled Rollins with the Superman punch. He then threw Kane over the barricade, and threw a cinder block at Rollins, as he moved out of the way. Rollins managed to escape to the back while Reigns drilled Kane with the Superman punch to end the segment.

Analysis: I hope this is just the beginning of the program between Rollins and Reigns, as it makes a lot of sense for these two to get involved after Dean Ambrose’s time off. Hopefully, it will lead to a match between the two at NOC PPV.

The announcers put over the WWE Network once again.

Bray Wyatt cut a promo about Cena’s misfortunes, and said he was a shell of a man. He said he wouldn’t let him suffer, or his disease to spread. He said he would put him down. Wyatt told Cena to run!

Los Matadores (With El Torito) vs. Titus O’Neil and Heath Slater

Slater started things off with one of the Matadores, and was knocked down. A big crossbody on Heath for a nearfall, as Slater tried to find his way back into the match. A big leg scissors takedown and armdrag followed by a dropkick dropped Slater back to the mat, as the crowd started a “Let’s go Slater” chant. Slater dropped Fernando for another nearfall, as Titus made his way into the ring. Slater and Titus had a little scuffle, as Slater once again got on top of Fernando. Slater knocked him down with a clothesline as Titus tagged himself in. Titus and Heath worked in tandem, but Heath was caught by surprise and was pinned as Los Matadores picked up the victory.

Winners: Los Matadores

Rating: **

Analysis: That was a filler match. Nothing more to say except the fact that Slater is entertaining.

Kofi Kingston vs. Bo Dallas

Back from the break and Kofi Kingston is out. Bo Dallas is out next as Kofi looks on disgusted.

Kofi unloads on Bo. Bo misses a clothesline and Kofi gets a 2 count. Kofi with a big shot in the corner but Bo runs right into him with a big knee. Bo beats Kofi down. Kofi jumps off the second rope and hits a big dropkick. Kofi mounts Bo in the corner with right hands now. Bo ends up tripping Kofi off the top and hitting the running Bo-dog for the win.

Winner: Bo Dallas

- Bo takes the mic after the match. He says Kofi isn’t like Jack Swagger, Swagger let his entire country down but Kofi only let himself down. Bo says they both just need to learn how to Bo-lieve. Swagger comes from behind and lays Bo out to a mixed reaction. Swagger’s music hits as he makes his exit.

John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt

Back from the break and out comes John Cena. Bray Wyatt is also out. Cena starts the match with a huge clothesline. Cena yells at Wyatt to stay down. Cena charges him and hits a German suplex.

Wyatt looks shocked. Cena hits another German as Luke Harper and Bray Wyatt look on. Cena continues dominating Wyatt. Rowan and Harper rush the ring to cause the DQ.

Winner by DQ: John Cena

- After the match, Big Show and Mark Henry run down to make the save for Cena and we have a big brawl. We go to commercial.

The Wyatt Family vs. Big Show, Mark Henry and John Cena

Back from the break and we have a six-man match. Show slams Rowan and drops a big elbow. Show takes Rowan to the corner and works him over. Show with a big chop to the chest.

Henry tags in and Show whips him into Rowan in the corner. Henry with body shots in the corner now. Henry runs into a big boot and Rowan turns it around. Bray tags in and works over Henry. Wyatt with a headbutt and a bunch of right hands to the head. Harper comes in and takes over on Henry. Harper with knees to the face. Rowan tags back in and bodyslams Henry. Harper comes back in and nails Henry in the corner. Harper runs into a boot. Show tags back in and runs over Harper. Show with a big back splash in the corner. Harper with a big dropkick out of nowhere. Rowan tags back in and hits a big boot on Show.

Wyatt comes back in to keep up the attack on Show. Wyatt with the senton and a 2 count. Another tag to Rowan. Wyatt holds Show while Rowan drops a knee. Fans chant for Cena now. Harper comes back in for more double teaming and a 2 count on show. Cena finally gets the tag and unloads on Harper. Cena applies the STF for the win.

Winners: John Cena, Mark Henry and Big Show

- As soon as the bell hits, Rowan runs in and Cena hits an Attitude Adjustment on him. Show and Henry bring Wyatt back to the ring and throw him in. Cena hits him with an AA also. Cena hits another AA on Harper as Show and Henry cheer him on. Cena’s music hits and he goes to the turnbuckles as we get replays. Cena goes to ringside and hugs a few fans. Cena goes back in the ring and RAW goes off the air with Cena celebrating as we see The Wyatt Family leaving.